There are several major types of hot waters heaters out there.   Tankless, and those with tanks.  Gas, electric, oil burning, and other energy sources.  One very common type is the simple electric tank based hot water heater.  As the name suggests, these hot water heaters use an electric heating element to  heat up the water, which is then stored in the main tank for use later on.  Pretty straightforward.

So, why would you choose an electric heater over other power sources?  In many cases, you probably wouldn't.  These hot water heaters tend to be less efficient than those powered by other energy sources such as gas.  However, if you don't have a gas hookup in your home, an electric hot water heater may be the way to go.

If you do have one of these heaters, you can save quite a bit of money on them by using a timer to heat the water during off peak hours.  By doing this, you take advantage of the lower power rates, saving you money and reducing the load on the power grid.  Be sure to check with your power company to see which rates apply during which times, to plan your timer for maximum savings.

For those looking for a newer, more efficient option, hybrid electric hot water heaters are new technology that has great promise.  By drawing in heat from the ambient air, these hybrid hot water heaters use about half the energy of a conventional design, according to the designers.  For those wanting to stay electric, give these a look.

One of the critical aspects of buying any sort of hot water heater is choosing the right size.  Since electric heats slower than gas, an electric hot water heater should be about 50% bigger than a gas powered one. For a 3 bathroom house, an 70 gallon model should be about right, but be sure to check into this before you buy, as every home and hot water heater is different.

So, know you know the basics of buying an electric water heater.  Do your homework, shop well, and you will enjoy the pleasure of having a reliable and efficient water heater for your home.